Supported structure and mechanism therefor



June 22, 1965 KY 3,190,596

SUPPORTED STRUCTURE AND MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed March 6, 1964 l/VVENTOR 0304/? H. KAM/N/(Y B) K. M. LEFE'VER Arrow/Er 2 Sheets-Sheet '1June 22, 1965 o. H. KAMINKY 3,190,596

SUPPORTED STRUCTURE AND MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed March 6, 1964 2Sheets-Sheet 2 36 F G. 2 -U 2F 1 m/ VE/VTOR OSCAR H. KAM/NK Y BY KM.LEFEVER ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,190,596 SUPPORTED STRUCTURE ANDMECHANISM THEREFQR @scar H. Kaminhy, 908 S. 6th St, Goshen, Ind. FiledMar. 6, 1964, Ser. No. 349,859 3 Claims. (Cl. 248lld9) This inventionrelates to a supported structure and an actuating mechanism, therefor.Particularly the invention relates to a supported structure having anauto matically actuated supporting mechanism therefor, said structureadapted to be used, for example, as tables, chairs, trays, ironingboards, and the like.

Generally, therefore, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a supported structure having an actuating mechanism which isinexpensive to manufacture, simple, yet sturdy and durable ofconstruction, substantially completely rigid in its supportingcharacteristics during use, and which will operate with relative freedomfrom wear and tear and other mechanical dificulties.

Specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a foldingsupporting structure which can be readily mounted on a supported surfaceby means of simple sockets or bearing means to accept rotating memberswhich are held in place by permanent clips or by sliding lockingmechanism-s.

The device of the invention comprises a supported article such as atable top fabricated from metal, wood, or plastic which is fitted with asupporting mechanism comprising a pair of spaced-apart substantiallyparallel elongated tubular supporting members, adapted rotatably to bemounted with respect to a supporting surface, said members beingcooperatively connected by means of adjacontly positioned double actionlinkage elements that are adapted simultaneously to rotate said elementsin opposite directions, and means mounted directly upon andcooperatively connecting said linkage elements, whereby to actuate saidelements and rotate said members from a folded to an unfolded conditionto hold said supporting surface in an elevated position.

Further objects of the invention are the provision of such a supportedsurface supported by a mechanism as that above described which can beoperated by a single control handle; which requires a minimum number ofparts; which needs no auxiliary means to lock or to hold the same infolded or unfolded position, but which provides a single control handleor lever which automatically will lock or hold the supporting structure,or legs, in a folded or unfolded position, and in which the controlhandle is mounted directly upon and is .a part of the folding mechanism.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a removablysupported surface which is carried by an actuating mechanism in which acontrol handle clamps the moving parts together in such a manner thatmotion between them is substantially eliminated after the legs areplaced in an unfolded position; and in which the counterbalancing effectof the legs is utilized to accomplish ease in operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a supported surface,such as a table top having as a supporting means an actuating mechanismwhich when it is fully opened or extended is a rigid self-braced unitarystruc- Patented June 22,- 1965 ice ture, complete in itselfindependently of the supported surface or any bearings furnished by saidsurface.

A further object is to provide a table supported by a removableactuating mechanism in which rotatable shafts provided with rigidlyattached legs are connected by a pair of crossed links attached at theirends to a pair of double torque arms integral with such shafts so as toproduce balanced moments of rotation whose centers coincide with theaxes of the shafts so as to substantially relieve any bearings fromstrain and, more importantly, to secure rigidity for the fully openedsupport structure independently of any structure incidental thereto.

A still further object of the instant invention is to provide a tablesupported by a mechanism which includes a pair of rotatable shafts, eachconnecting a pair of rigid legs integral therewith, a pair of doubletorque arms rigidly connected to said shafts to produce balanced momentsof rotation throughout approximately a arc of rotation and a pair ofoperating levers which coact to lock against said rotatable shafts atthe end of said rotation.

Other and further objects of the invention will in part be obvious andwill in part appear hereinafter, and which are inherent in the apparatusherein illustrated, described and claimed.

Referring now generally to the various views in the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the invention with the legsshown folded in phantom and extended in solid lines;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view showing the legs, partly brokenaway, and in solid line position, unfolded and ready for use;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the legs partly in folded orunfolded position;

FIG. 4 is a View similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 with the legs in a, foldedposition against the table top;

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view, taken along the line 5-5 of FIG.1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a view in perspective showing one form of a locking means forrernovably attaching the supported surface to the supporting mechanism;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second means for attaching thesupported structure to the supporting mechanism; and

FIG. 9 is an end view of the embodiment of FlG. 8 showing the holdingslip in position.

Referring now to the drawings, a table top 12 is supported by a pair ofspaced apart substantially parallel elongated shaft members 14 and 16respectively, which preferably comprise tubular stock, and which arerotatably mounted on the table top 12. As illustrated, simple bearingmembers 1 8 are used. if desired the top or supported surface may becompletely separate from the supporting mechanism and merely placed uponthe device when in its extended position.

At an intermediate position on each of said rotatable members 14 and 16there is mounted a pair of torque arms indicated generally at 259 and 22on the rotatable shaft members lid and 16 respectively.

cooperatively connecting said torque arms are two linkage members 24 and26 preferably made of flat bar stock, or straps, one of which, 24, ispivotally mounted to one end of the torque arm 26, as at 28, and theother end of which is pivotally mounted to the torque arm 22, as at 30.The other linkage member 26 is pivotally mounted to the end of thetorque arm 20, and on the same side thereof, as at 32, and the other ispivotally mounted to the torque arm 22 as at 34. These linkage membersare preferably adjacently positioned, and are double acting so that theyare adapted simultaneously to actuate torque arms 20 and 22 to rotatethe members 14 and 16 in opposite directions.

It is to be noted particularly that the action of the linkage members 24and 26 on the torque arms 20 and 22 produce balance couples, i.e. theyrotate without any strain on the ends of the rotatable shafts 14 and 16.It is also an unique feature of this device that the torque arms and thelinkage members are so dimensioned such that after a 90 arc of rotationthe linkage members rest on the rotatable shafts and the moment of themechanism thus becomes the length of the linkage members 24 and 26 andno longer the length of the torque arms 20 and 22. This resolution ofmoments is unique and provides for complete locking of the device in itsopen or extended position.

Connected to the rotatable members, or longitudinal shafts 14 and 16,are leg members 36 and 38 respectively, also preferably tubular. Theseleg members together with the rotatable members, can be regarded asconstituting unitary supporting structures.

The rotatable members 14 and 16, and consequently legs 36 and 38respectively, are adapted to be actuated, or rotated, in such a mannerthat the legs can be unfolded from a flat position or horizontalposition to a position which is substantially normal thereto to hold asupported mechanism in erect position ready for use. This actuation isaccomplished by means of a toggle operating mechanism, mounted directlyupon and cooperatively associated with the linkage members 24 and 26.This mechanism constitutes one link 40 pivoted as at 42 to the linkagemember 26 and a second link 44 pivoted to the linkage member 24 as at46, the two links being interconnected or pivoted to each other as at48.

The link 44 is provided at its free end with a handle member 50 whichincludes an inverted U-shaped extension 52 suitably and rigidly securedthereto.

It will be observed that the torque arms 20 and 22 and linkage members24 and 26 are so proportioned with respect to their pivot points 28 and30, and 32 and 34, that the linkage members, will contact the rotatablemembers 14 and 16, at their limits of movement into predeterminedpositions that the unitary legs 36 and 38 can be unfolded from acollapsed position to an operative or extended position, which operationis performed by the toggle operating mechanism mounted directly upon andcooperatively connecting the linkage members to move them to any of thepredetermined positions and to lock them in the selected position.

It is to be noted particularly from reference to FIG. 2 that after thesupporting mechanism is fully extended the linkage member 24 firmlybears against the rotatable shaft or member 14 and that the member 26firmly bears against the corresponding rotatable shaft or member 16.Thus the mechanism is locked rigidly against further outward motion ofeither of the pair of legs 36 or 38 by the resolution of moments asdescribed above. It will be seen further from reference to FIG. 2 thatat the time the toggle mechanism locks the members 24 and 26 in theirextended position that the firm contact between the members 24 and 26and the shafts 14 and 16 occurs.

It will be seen very readily from the above stated facts that thesupporting mechanism is rigid by itself without reliance upon any partof the supported structure itself. In other words, a supported structurecan be very much weaker than would otherwise be necessary as no relianceis placed on such structure in order to lock the supporting mechanismrigidly against motion. In

other words the supporting mechanism including the legs, rotatableshafts, the linkage mechanism and the toggle mechanism is rigidly lookedas a unit and is selfsupporting and is self-braced. As a matter of fact,the supporting mechanism will stand as securely upon a floor in a rigidand firm manner without a supported structure such as a table top as itwould when equipped with such a structure.

The locking arrangement for the selected position is provided, forexample, by the toggle operatnig mechanism; that is, when the legs 36and 38 are folded against the supported structure 12, the operatinghandle 50 and link 44 will be positioned, as shown, for example, in FIG.4, and locked in this position when the pivot point 48 passes over orpast the center of the pivot point 46. When the supported structure isready to be set up for use, the handle 50 is swung about its pivot pointin such a manner that the links 44 and 40 will actuate the linkage bears24 and 26 until the legs 36 and 38 assume an unfolded position,whereupon the handle member 50 will assume the position shown in FIG. 2;that is, the U- shaped portion 52 will frictionally engage the side ofthe linkage member 26 adjacent thereto and straddle the linkage member40, the pivot point 48 now having passed over or past the center of thepivot point 46, thereby locking the toggle action operating mechanism insuch a position that the rotatable members 14 and 16, and legs 36 and38, each constituting pairs of unitary legs, will be held rigidly insupporting position.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-9 the supported surface of the invention may beeither permanently or removably afiixed to the supporting structure. InFIGS. 6 and 7 there is shown means for removable attachment and consistsof a block member 60 which is adapted to receive the rotatable crossmember 14 by means of a circular notch 62. Locking slide 64 held byretaining screw 66 is slipped over the top of the rotatable member andengages holding screw 68. It is to be understood that similar lockingdevices are provided for both ends of rotatable members 14 and 16. Thedevice is shown in closed position-end view-in FIG. 7.

In the locking embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 rotatable member 14 isplaced in circular notch 70 which is sized in block 72 of a sizesufiicient to receive serrated spring clip 74 which is formed in thecircular notch in superimposed relation to the rotatable member. Theserrations of the spring clip, shown at 76, becomes imbedded in thesurface of the circular notch and thus lock the rotatable member inposition. The clip is shown in position in FIG. 9.

It will be understood that it is within the contemplation of theinvention to utilize other actuating mechanism, such as, for example, acam, or camming arrangement, in place of the toggle action operatingmechanism, since such arrangements have been made and used by mealthough the toggle action operating mechanism is preferred.

To summarize briefly the instant invention provides an unique and usefulsupported surface such as a table top, an ironing board, a chair seat, adrafting table, and the like. The supported surface may be removably orpermanently attached to the supporting mechanism or it may be placedthereon after the supporting mechanism is extended. The mechanism iscollapsible and extendable in a fashion that is semi-automatic, that isto say, the operation or actuation of a single extending means operatesall parts of the mechanism. The mechanism comprises a pair of rotatableshafts which has a pair of leg members rigidly attached thereto. Theseshafts and the leg members are balanced so that extension or collapse isaccomplished easily since one pair of legs counterbalance the otherduring operation thereof.

Each rotatable shaft has integrally and/ or rigidly affixed thereto apair of opposed torque arms or levers and a pair of crossed linkagemembers are connected to opposite ends of each pair of torque ar'ms. Atoggle operating mechanism consisting of two linking bars and anoperating handle is attached pivotally to the crossed linking members,one on each side of the point of crossing so that when the operatinghandle is moved in an arc, the cross linkage members are moved inopposite directions thus rotating the torque arms, the rotatable shaftsand the leg members.

The dimensions of the crossed linkage members and the torque arms arecarefully proportioned so that when the rotatable shaft has turned froma position wherein the leg members are collapsed, that is, the positionin which the leg members lie in the same plane as the rotatable shaftand each other, to a position which is 90 therefrom, that is to aposition wherein the legs are perpendicular to the plane of therotatable shaft, the link age members contact and firmly bind againstthe shafts and prevent any further extension of the legs. Throughout themotion previous to this predetermined point the moment of torque is theforce exerted against the torque arm by the linkage member times theeffective length of the torque arm. At the point of contact of thelinkage members against the rotatable shafts this moment resolves andthe torque arm then becomes the length of the linkage member and is thusimmovcably locked. It is this unique feature which enables the supportmechanism to operate as a separate and complete unit Without co-actionwith any supported surface.

It is expected, of course, that various embodiments and modificationsutilizing the principles disclosed will become apparent to those skilledin the art. The above description and the accompanying drawings shouldbe considered as illustrative only and in no sense limiting upon theinventive concept.

What is claimed is:

1. A supported surface having a collapsible and extendable supportingmechanism which comprises, a planar surface being pivotally connected totwo rotatable members, a pair of torque arms secured to each of saidrotatable members, a pair of crossed linkage members cooperativelyconnecting said pairs of torque arms so as to rotate them in oppositedirections, and toggle operating means, attached directly to saidcrossed linkage members and cooperatively connecting them for movementto and locking in a predetermined position, said toggle operating meansconsisting of a pair of toggle links Whose outer ends are pivotallyconnected to different ones of said crossed linkage members and whoseinner ends are pivotally interconnected to each other.

2. A table which comprises a planar surface, a pair of balancedrotatable shafts removably connected thereto, a pair of opposed torquearms rigidly secured to each shaft, a pair of crossed linkage memberscoopera tively connecting opposite ends of said torque arms so as torotate them in opposed directions, said torque arms and said crossedlinkage members being so proportioned that said linkage members bearupon and rigidly bind against said rotatable shafts to control therotation of said torque arms to a predetermined position, and toggleoperating means consisting of a pair of toggle links whose outer endsare pivotaliy connected to different ones of said crossed linkagemembers and whose inner ends are pivotally interconnected to each other.

3. A folding table which comprises in combination a table top structure,pivotally connected thereto a pair of balanced rotatable shaft memberseach having a pair of opposed torque arms mounted thereon, a pair ofcrossed linkage members cooperatively connecting opposite ends of saidtorque arms so as to rotate them in opposite directions, said torquearms and said linkage members being so proportioned that the linkagemembers will bind against said rotatable shaft members at their limitsof movement to predetermined positions, and toggle operating meansconsisting of a pair of toggle links whose outer ends are pivotallyconnected to different ones of said crossed linkage members and whoseinner ends are pivotally interconnected to each other, said toggleoperating means being mounted directly upon different linkage membersand extending across the crossing point of said linkage members andcooperatively connecting said linkage members to move them to and lockthem in said predetermined position.

4. A folding table which comprises in combination a table top structure,removably and pivotally connected thereto a pair of rotatable shafts, apair of legs rigid with each shaft, a pair of oppositely directed torquearms rigidly secured to each shaft, a pair of crossed linkage membersconnecting opposite ends of said torque arms, and means for rotation ofsaid linkage members to a predetermined position, said linkage membersand said torque arms being proportioned to cause said linkage m-embersto bear against said rotatable shafts to lock said shafts in saidpredetermined position, said rotation means comprising a pair of togglelinks whose outer ends are pivotally connected to different ones of saidcrossed linkage members and whose inner ends are pivotallyinterconnected to each other.

5. A collapsible and extendable supporting structure which comprises tworotatable members, a pair of torque arms secured to each of saidrotatable members, a pair of crossed linkage members cooperativelyconnecting said pairs of torque arms so as to rotate them in oppositedirections, and toggle operating means attached directly to said crossedlinkage members and cooperatively connecting them for movement to andlocking in a predetermined position, said toggle operating meansconsisting of a pair of toggle links whose outer ends are pivotallyconnected to different ones of said crossed linkage members and whoseinner ends are pivotally interconnected to each other.

6. A collapsible and extendable supporting structure which comprises incombination a pair of balanced rotatable shafts, a pair of opposedtorque arms rigidly secured to each shaft, a pair of crossed linkagemembers cooperatively connecting opposite ends of said torque arms so asto rotate them in opposed directions, said torque arms and said crossedlinkage members being so proportional that said linkage members bearupon and rigidly bind against said rotatable shafts to control therotation of said torque arms to predetermined positions, and toggleoperating means consisting of a pair of toggle links whose outer endsare pivotally connected to to different ones of said crossed linkagemembers and whose inner ends are pivotally interconnected to each other.

7. A collapsible and extendable supporting structure which comprises apair of balanced rotatable shaft members each having a pair of opposedtorque arms mounted thereon, a pair of crossed linkage memberscooperatively connecting opposite ends of said torque arms so as torotate them in opposite directions, said torque arms and said linkagemembers being so proportional that the linkage members will bind againstsaid rotatable shaft members at their limits of movement topredetermined positions, and toggle operating means consisting of a pairof toggle links Whose outer ends are pivotally connected to differentones of said crossed linkage members and whose inner ends are pivotallyinterconnected to each other, said toggle operating means being mounteddirectly upon different linkage members and extending across thecrossing point of said linkage members and cooperatively connecting saidlinkage members to move them to and lock them in said predeterminedpositions.

8. A collapsible and extendable semi-automatic actuating supportmechanism which comprises a unitary structure having a pair of rotatableshafts, a pair of legs rigid with each shaft, a pair of oppositelydirected torque arms rigidly secured to each shaft, a pair of crossedlinkage members connected opposite ends of said torque arms, and meansfor rotation of said linkage members to predetermined positions, saidlinkage members .ends are pivotally connected to diiferent ones of saidcrossed linkage members and Whose inner ends are pivotallyinterconnected to each other.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/56 Warner292145 4/12 Vorn Bruck 292145 8 Van Uum 2473.7

Mitchell 108--130 Boyce 108130 Pucci 108-430 McBride 108130 Bryant108-430 FOREIGN PATENTS Austria.

2/20 Great Britain.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Examiner.

1. A SUPPORTED SURFACE HAVING A COLLAPSIBLE AND EXTENDABLE SUPPORTINGMECHANISM WHICH COMPRISES, A PLANAR SURFACE BEING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TOTWO ROTATABLE MEMBER, A PAIR OF TORQUE ARMS SECURED TO EACH OF SAIDROTATABLE MEMBERS, A PAIR OF CROSSED LINKAGE MEMBERS COOPERATIVELYCONNECTING SAID PAIRS OF TORQUE ARMS SO AS TO ROTATE THEM IN OPPOSITEDIRECTIONS, AND TOGGLE OPERATING MEANS, ATTACHED DIRECTLY TO SAIDCROSSED LINKAGE MEMBERS AND COOPERATIVELY CONNECTING THEM FOR MOVEMENTTO AND LOCKING IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION, SAID TOGGLE OPERATING MEANSCONSISTING OF PAIR OF TOGGLE LINKS WHOSE OUTER ENDS ARE PIVOTALLYCONNECTED TO DIFFERENT ONES OF SAID CROSSED LINKAGE MEMBERS AND WHOSEINNER ENDS ARE PIVOTALLY INTERCONNECTED TO EACH OTHER.